Dana White Says Joe Rogan Worked for Free During Early UFC Days

Over the years, UFC commentator Joe Rogan has earned the respect of Dana White. The duo has been good friends for a long time and there is a special reason for it.

Joe Rogan has been commentating for the UFC for a while now. He is one of the oldest and the most experienced commentators in the company. We can see his passion and love for the sport through his work.

Apart from being passionate about the sport, he is a martial artist too. Rogan regularly trains in various martial arts and has a vast knowledge of the sport. But that is not the reason Dana White likes him so much.

In the early days, when the UFC was not as big as it is now, Rogan offered to work for the company for free. He did not charge a single penny for fifteen straight shows. Watch White explain his relationship with Rogan in the video below.

“We talk all the time. Rogan and I, since day one, have an incredible relationship. We care about each other, we respect each other. We both love the sport… When I wanted Rogan to come and commentate, reached out to him whatever, Rogan did the first fifteen for free. He didn’t want the pay,” Dana White told Barstool Sports.

Dana White believes Joe Rogan is passionate about the sport

Furthermore, White said that there is no difference between Joe Rogan commentating now and back then. The UFC juggernaut feels that Rogan’s passion for the sport trumps his desire to earn money.

“Rogan gets paid now. He gets paid now… But you wouldn’t tell the difference from when Rogan was doing it for free from when Rogan is being paid sh*tloads of money to do it. Because Rogan doesn’t do it for the money. Rogan does it because it’s his passion. That’s what he loves to do. 

“And when you watch Rogan on TV, whether he is breaking down a fight or he is commentating — No matter what he is doing, never once do you think this guy is doing it because he is getting paid to do it. The passion just rolls through his voice.”

For the past few years, Rogan has stopped doing international shows as he missed out on crucial family time. He is also absent during Fight Nights. As of now, he is only present during pay-per-views held inside the United States. His last appearance was at UFC 252, where he witnessed his close friend Daniel Cormier lose to Stipe Miocic.

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